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Aviles showing 'write-in' stuff as callup

Aviles showing 'write-in' stuff

As a midseason callup, Mike Aviles is not featured on the 2008 All-Star ballot for the Royals. But Aviles, a shortstop, has been playing like he's worthy of a write-in vote.

Since getting called up from Omaha, he has hit .328 with three home runs, eight doubles and 12 RBIs over his first 17 games.

Right now, the top vote-getters in the American League at shortstop are the Yankees' Derek Jeter, the Rangers' Michael Young, the Tigers' Edgar Renteria, the Red Sox's Julio Lugo and the White Sox's Orlando Cabrera. No Royals players are in the top five for shortstop or any other position.

The 79th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, being held at Yankee Stadium in its final season, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD, and televised around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 7 p.m. CT. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage, while MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage. XM will provide satellite radio play-by-play coverage of the XM All-Star Futures Game.

The Midsummer Classic will be the fourth held at Yankee Stadium and the eighth in New York City. The Yankees previously hosted the All-Star Game in 1939, 1960 and 1977; the Polo Grounds held the game in 1934 and 1942; Ebbets Field was the site in 1949; and Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 tilt.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2008 All-Star Game Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until Wednesday, July 2, at 10:59 p.m. CT. Starting rosters will be announced during the 2008 All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Chevrolet on TBS on Sunday, July 6. Baseball fans around the world will then be able to select the final player on each team via the Monster 2008 All-Star Final Vote at MLB.com.

And the voting doesn't end there. Fans will have the opportunity to participate in the official voting for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player presented by Chevrolet at the All-Star Game via the Monster 2008 All-Star Game MVP vote at MLB.com.

Aviles joined the Royals on May 29, starting in that game. After playing as a reserve for a few games, he has been Kansas City's everyday shortstop.

A career Minor Leaguer, Aviles had been hitting .336 at Omaha with 10 home runs and 42 RBIs in 214 at-bats before he joined Kansas City.

2008 MLB All-Star Balloting : American League

First Base

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Youkilis, K.

Red Sox

1,482,011

2.

Morneau, J.

Twins

1,214,603

3.

Giambi, J.

Yankees

828,891

4.

Pena, C.

Rays

455,233

5.

Konerko, P.

White Sox

435,176

Second Base

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Pedroia, D.

Red Sox

1,286,962

2.

Kinsler, I.

Rangers

1,120,439

3.

Cano, R.

Yankees

830,116

4.

Polanco, P.

Tigers

551,180

5.

Roberts, B.

Orioles

360,545

Third base

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Rodriguez, A.

Yankees

1,940,827

2.

Lowell, M.

Red Sox

981,648

3.

Crede, J.

White Sox

597,621

4.

Cabrera, M.

Tigers

567,213

5.

Blalock, H.

Rangers

363,051

Shortstop

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Jeter, D.

Yankees

1,988,251

2.

Young, M.

Rangers

1,140,258

3.

Renteria, E.

Tigers

557,951

4.

Lugo, J.

Red Sox

466,498

5.

Cabrera, O.

White Sox

443,175

Catcher

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Mauer, J.

Twins

1,178,630

2.

Varitek, J.

Red Sox

1,133,855

3.

Rodriguez, I.

Tigers

819,694

4.

Posada, J.

Yankees

771,625

5.

Pierzynski, A.J.

White Sox

470,795

Designated hitter

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Ortiz, D.

Red Sox

1,982,786

2.

Matsui, H.

Yankees

1,207,892

3.

Thome, J.

White Sox

675,775

4.

Catalanotto, F.

Rangers

437,091

5.

Sheffield, G.

Tigers

303,058

Outfield

RANK

PLAYER NAME

AL TEAM

TOTAL VOTES

1.

Ramirez, M.

Red Sox

1,917,207

2.

Hamilton, J.

Rangers

1,791,623

3.

Suzuki, I.

Mariners

1,120,279

4.

Guerrero, V.

Angels

933,191

5.

Abreu, B.

Yankees

908,935

6.

Damon, J.

Yankees

829,114

7.

Bradley, M.

Rangers

801,708

8.

Drew, J.D.

Red Sox

774,112

9.

Ordonez, M.

Tigers

746,144

10.

Cabrera, M.

Yankees

708,463

11.

Hunter, T.

Angels

645,673

12.

Sizemore, G.

Indians

634,553

13.

Crisp, C.

Red Sox

547,717

14.

Crawford, C.

Rays

534,690

15.

Upton, B.J.

Rays

466,951

Results updated: Monday, June 23, 2008

Mark Dent is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.